SHORT-SPOKEN Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

short-spoken

adjective

ˈshȯrt-ˌspō-kən

Definition of short-spoken

as in blunt

being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner don't expect much information or friendly chitchat from the short-spoken villagers

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for short-spoken

Adjective

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed with PEOPLE that Dwabe died of blunt force trauma, and his death was ruled an accident.

— Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026
That joke, which McNamara hits with a palpable sparkle of smugness, illustrates how deliciously blunt her comedic sensibility is.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of blunt

Adjective

The crawlers wander about the plants for a short period of time and then begin to feed and create a waxy covering.

— Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
The brand’s new Malibu Boot reimagines the popular post-surf silhouette, the Alo way, in two sizes, including a shorter version called the Malibu Low Boot.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of short

Adjective

Deliberately choppy and abrupt in its transitions from sequences that almost play like standalone shorts, Masc may be too rarefied to venture beyond fests and niche settings.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
Soon after spying the hungry bird, the family watched in horror as the kite accidentally dropped the reptile right into their backyard, bringing an abrupt end to tea on the veranda.

— Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of abrupt

Adjective

We were taught by a gruff cockney called Fred Waring, who had participated in the D-Day landings in a regiment that had fought its way across Europe towards Berlin and liberated the concentration camp at Belsen.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Sep. 2026
His only hope to get home turns out to be Nick (Kenneth Branagh), a gruff ex-KGB agent who loves American pop culture and is really good in a fight.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of gruff

Adjective

While Talarico and Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for governor, have been outspoken in their desire to rein in data center development, both are taking a nuanced position.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
And although the medical research measure has some outspoken critics, there’s no money for an opposition campaign.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of outspoken

Adjective

After three minutes of routine and relatively curt responses, Redick was asked about the difficulty of closing a team out in a playoff series.

— Law Murray, New York Times, 1 May 2026
There are at least three potential James Bonds among these actors, and each displays his own brand of curt, strapping charm.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of curt

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“Short-spoken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short-spoken. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of short-spoken

adjective

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